Like Lee said, everything is dangerous, and yes High Lifts are also dangerous. I have a permanent scar on my face from one! The famous handle rachetting back upwards. Making sure the jack is straight, and wont slide, as well as extreme caution when letting something down is criticle. They are nastly suckers, but they can come in awfully handy doing trail repairs, or getting un-high centered off rocks. I also suggest buying the big plastic base. One other caution, I noticed your come along comment. Come alongs are useless for vehicle recovery, and high lifts are not much better, even if you use several at the same time. Be sure you are buying a highlift for the right use.